Embracing embarrassment- a path to fulfillment.

There are a lot things we will try if we knew no one was watching us, this is why there is an old saying that- What a man does when he is alone is his true self. Embarrassment is the cost of entry, you will never be a master at anything if you are not willing to be a terrible beginner. Most people only get to play as kids, then it is on to a routinely mechanical life till they die. When I was learning how to ride a bicycle, I had already gotten the bicycle and I approached some group of people to teach me, one said I should keep it a secret that I do not know how to ride a bicycle at this age, then I asked if he knew how to and he said no even though he likes it. So I realized people will rather appear competent than go through the embarrassment of learning what they enjoy.

The things you should do in your 30s and 40s are what you didn't get to do in your 20s or even as a child, so yeah- learn how to swim, how to dance, how to ride a bicycle, pick up a fighting sport, switch careers. I have had people tell me they are scared of looking stupid in the gym so that's why they'll never go. I tell them no one has ever died from looking stupid. If the benefit of anything you want outweighs the cost, do it anyway. 

Adulthood is a stress buffet, and play is the antidote to stress, not drugs, not sex, not even sleep.  Every other form of relaxation  outside of play clears your head, not your mind, once you're done with it- you're back to your usual routine. When you learn to insert little pockets of play in your everyday life, you have hacked fulfillment. Mastery is important when playing. How does a man enjoy what he does not truly know how to do? If you love to dance take time to learn it- you need to take time to learn how to truly enjoy what you find interesting, and you have to get used to the embarrassment of learning how to play if you want to have great hobbies. Life's a bitch and then you die.

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